Apparatus for cleaning the hulls of ships or any kind of vessel.



P. G. BROWNB. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE BULLS 0P SHIPS OR ANY KIND OF VESSEL.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 5, 1912.

3 www m w n In 0 r on; d 0 4 wfia mm WZWA 0 Z NE 7 H [r d M 65 m w W a P F. G. BROWNE. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE HULLS 0F SHIPS OR ANY KIND OF VESSEL.

APPLIOAIION FILED AUG. 6, 1912. 1,079,208. I Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

5 SHEETSSHEBT Z,

Attorney.

F. G. BROWNE.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE HULLS OP SHIPS OR ANY KIND OF VESSEL.

APPLIUATION TILED AUG. 6, 1912.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

r z ram/MU flltorney mlemor F. G. BROWNE.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE HULLS 0F saws OR ANY KIND or VESSEL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, 1912. 1,()79,2()8 Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

[ment 7. WLZRQJJQJ. 7:11a WWW 25 flltarney F. G. BROWNE.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE HULLS 0F SHIPS OR ANY KIND OF VESSEL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5,1912.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

6 BHBBTS-SHBET 6.

M'mwo 246M3 5 F fnzlenioz' fle /0. a r2 6i, 74 frau/wev Alto rney UNT FFICE.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE HULLS F SHIPS OR ANY KIND OF VESSEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1 8, 1913.

Application filed August 5, 1912. Serial No. 713,308.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GEORGE linownn, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at 38 Lambeth avenue, Malvern, near Melbourne, in the State of Victoria, Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improved Apparatus for Cleaning the llulls of Ships or any Kind of Vessel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning the hulls of ships, vessels or the like. of the type in which a self acting cleaning device is suspended from a crane or derrick mounted upon a support exterior of the ship to be cleaned. In such apparatus as hitherto proposed, the self acting cleaner suspended from afloating lighter, normally hangs vertically and is pressed toward the hull by hand or mechanically operated devices in order that the cleaner may perform the work of removing the marine growth upon the hull of the ship. Such growth clings very tenaciously and requires a con siderable amount of force to remove it. It has been found in practice by the devices hitherto proposed, that if the cleaner is forced on to the hull with any considerable force, such force is nullified by the insecure nature of the support carrying the apparatus, in other words, the lighter gives way in the opposite direction.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback, and it primarily consists in so suspending the self acting cleaner that it is normally kept pressed against the hull by the influence of its own weight.

The invention also consists in providing means whereby when a floating lighter is used, it may be held rigidly to the hull being cleaned or may be moved along the hull when and as desired.

The invention further consists in means whereby the pressure of the self acting cleaner againstthe hull may be regulated.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the present invention diagrammatically and byway of example, in which Figure l. is a plan view showing the general arrangement when a punt, lighter, boat or the like is used in cleaning the hull of a ship. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof, drawn to a larger scale, but showing a single arm derrick. Fig. 3 is a similar view, but showing the counter of a ship. Fig. 4 shows a partial plan of one form of gear for operating the cleaning device, when using a single arm derrick. Figs. 5 and (3 show the free end of a single arm derrick in elevation and plan respectively. Fig. 7 is a diagram of two alternative ways of suspending a cleaning device. Fig. 8 is an end view of a general. arrangement suitable when cleaning the bottoms of ships. Figs. 9 and 10 are a side elevation and a partial plan respectively of one form of the double or forked arm derrick and gear of Fig. 1. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are respectively side elevation, plan and front elevation of a cleaning device, some parts being omitted, and Fig. 1 is a section on line l-1 Fig. 11. Fig. 15 is a side elevation of one form of a detachable air chamber. In Fig. 1 a is the ship to be cleaned and Z) is a punt, lighter or boat adapted to be moved along the side of the ship by means of a cable, hawser or the like 0, connected to the latter in any suitable manner and passing one or more times as desired around a hand or power, but preferably an electric, winch or the like (Z and over or around loose pullcys e. A derrick f or the like preferably electrically operated and the arm 7 of which (Figs. 2 and 3) is preferably mounted in any suitable manner so as to be adjustable to any desired angle and, if desired, is also adapted (not shown) to swing or rotate about a vertical axis. is mounted in or on the punt I) or the like and is adapted to raise and lower a cleaning device It, hercinafter referred to, and also to regulate or, in conjunction with rollers V and. when working under water, propeller C hereinafter mentioned, to assist to regulate, the pressure of the actual cleaning member or members thereof against the hull of the ship.

The derrick arm g, when adjustable. is adapted to be raised and lowered preferably by ineans of a separate electric or hand operated Winch 9 indicated diagraniinatically in Figs. 2 and 3, and a steel or any other cable or the like which passes from the winch 9 over a loose pulley suitably mounted on an upright 9 for example of steel tubing, and thus to the derrick arm g, being preferably connected on both sides at or near the free end thereof in any suitable manner to permit of the arm being readily moved, for instance, by means of fixed or movable rings 7' r 5 and 6).

Referrin to Fi 4- i and i are drums for unwinding or winding up respectivel the front and rear supporting cables, chains for the like 0, Z, while at is a 'druni adapted to let out or draw. in a conveyor or conveyers n for transmitting power to the cleaning device 1 5 as the latter is lowered or raised, these three drums being driven by any kind of motor, but preferably by an electric inotor 0 through the medium of a chain or other drive 3), p, although, if desired, they may be operated hand, for instance, by a crank or cranks. Such conveyors a may, if desired,be electric wirespreferably formed into a single cable, flexible shaft or a pipe for conveying pressure fluid to, and actuat ing, the cleaning device including the afore mentioned propeller.

Bysuitable adjustn'ient of the cables or the like 72 and Z, the pressure of the actual cleaning member or members g, such as a brush or brushes or the like, against the ships hull is, as desired, either entirely or partly regulated. For this purpose, the drums 2' and 9' may, for instance as shown in Fig. 4t, be adapted to be rotated independently of one another by disconnecting a clutch 1" or other suitable devi e, the drum 5 or j as required, then being rotatedin the desired direction. respectively by the motor 0 or a detachable crank 0 or other device, so that the cable or the like 713 or Z is either drawn in or let'out as required or both are adjusted relatively to one another,

some suitable arrangement being provided, for example, a clutch (not shown) to enable theconveyer a to remain unwound at least to the same extent or length as the cable '70 or Z which 1s let out to tie greatest extent at the time being, or the unwound part of-the' conveyor a is always moreor less slack to give it a length which will allow of the cables 70, Z being drawn in and let out as desired without the conveyor n being subjected to any undue strain.

In Fig. 2 the rear cable or the like Z is shown slackened in dotted lines in order that the member or members 9 press more beau-- consequently the pressure of the member or members 9 against the ships hull. The point- 1 or points 2, 2 might be duplicated and arranged at the sides of the cleaning device It.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the free end of the derrick arm 9 which is provided with a roller g or slide or other suitable device adapted to rest and move readily when required, against the hull as the derrick is moved relatively to the ship or the like being cleaned. The roller g shown and which is of rubber composition or any other suitable material, h'as a hole in the center through whichv a bolt passes provided with a nut and washer accommodated in a recess 5 the arrangement being such that the roller 9 can move readily when required. The cables or the like is, Z well as the con- 7 veyer or conveyers a pass over separate pulleys 70, Z and a, a guard 0 or the like be ing provided, if required, to retain them on their respective pulleys.

Fig. 8 shows a modification for cleaning the bottoms of ships or thelike, the cleaning device it being preferably provided with an air chamber or air chambers, which is or are preferably.detachable hereinafter described. A loose pulley p or the like is, for example, suitably suspended by a cable 1' the likes from a boat or any other support 6' and a cable or the like 0? passed over this pulley and its ends connected to the cleaning device it, the cable c or the like being actuated'by the derrick f to draw the cleaning device h to and fro as desired across the bottom of the ship a by means of the cable 0 or where the shape of the ships bottom does not permit of this, each half thereof is cleaned separately in asimilar manner, for example, from the starboard and port side of the ship respectively. The unwound length of cable 0 or 0 or both, being altered as desired to regulate, or assist to regulate, the pressure of the member or members 9. The loose pulley p is preferably provided with a forked member 79 or some other suitable de ice adapted to engage with the bilge keel p? or some other part of the ship in order to prevent the cables 0 and c from foulingthe bilge keel, alight line or the like 79 being provided if required to assist in placing the member 79 or the like in position, A; similar or some otherdevice is also provided to prevent cable 0 from fouling the other bilge keel, for example, a forked member 7) having a double pulley 29 and held in position by a light cable or the like .71 79 attached to the two ends of the fork p and passing from boat to boat, or other supports, about the bottom of the ship, both forked members p and 10 being of sufficient width to insure their resting securely on the bilge keels and of dimensions to prevent any fouling of the cables and hull.

Referring to Figs: 9 and 16 the derrick arm 9 which is mounted similarly to that referred to in connection with Fig. 1, is, in this modification which is the preferable form, double or forked as at g, g, the two branches diverging outward and the free cndsthereof being provided each with a roller 9 or slide or other suitable device and, if required, a guard or guards as described in connection with Figs. 5 and (3, while distance pieces 9", 9 serve to strengthen the derrick arm. On each branch g, mounted on a common axle 2, are two loose pulleys 7: and Z to respectively take the front and rear cable or the like Z: and Z connected at one end to the stud rings on the cleaning device 72., so that in this form of derrick there are four suspension cables or the like namely, two front ones and two rear ones Z, which are let out or drawn in as required by means of drums Zr and Z respectively. A loose pulley it, also provided with a guard if desired, serves to guide the power conveyer or conveyors which, in this form of the apparatus, are electric wires preferably formed into a single cable a which is unwound or wound up accordingly by means of a drum m as the cables 7.: and Z are operated, although as described in connection with Fig. 4, the conveyer it may, if desired, be a flexible shaft or a pipe for conveying pressure fluid. Also some suitable arrangement is made as referred to in connection with Fig. 4, to prevent the conveyer or conveyors a being subjected to any undue strain. The drums are preferably all driven by any kind of motor but preferably an electric motor 0, through the medium of a chain or other drive p, and by suitable adjustment of the cables or the like 1;, 7: and Z, Z, the pressure of the actual cleaning member or members 9 on the ships hull is, as desired, either entirely or partly regu lated, and, if required, the cleaning device can be tilted to the left or right, clutches (not shown) or some other suitable devices being provided to enable the drums 7s", Z'- and m to be disconnected from each other as required, while the drum Z nearest the motor 0 is also adapted to be discoimected therefrom in any suit-able manner, whereby the drums can be rotated independently of one another, for which purpose hand cranks (not shown) or the like may be provided, so that the cables or the like in, 7a and Z, Z can be either drawn in or let out as required, or the drum Z1 nearest motor 0 may be rotated by the said motor for this purpose. An arrangement similar to that described in connection with Figs. 2 and 3 is provided for raising and lowering the double derrick arm 9, g and the rings 1 r may be placed on the outer or inner side of arms 9 9. Also the pulleys 70, Z: and Z,

Z may, if desired, be arranged in the middle of axle 2, that is one of each on both sides of pulleys n, in which case the hearing at the free end of each arm 9 would be modilied accordingly.

In Fig. S) the rear cables Z, Z are shown slackened in dotted lines in order that the member or members (1 may press more heavily against the ships lmll.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 18, the cleaning device 71 hereinbefore mentioned is preferably worked by electricity, but as already indicated, other suitable motive power, compressed air for instance, could be used with the necessary 'arying modifications, the whole manipulation of the entire apparatus being effected by an operative or operatives outside the ship or the like being cleaned. In the cleaning device according to the prescnt invention and which is preferably used, the casing of an electric motor A itself is water-tight and preferably of conical or conoidal form either convex or concave, and detachable, at one or both ends in order to give it a torpedo-like shape as shown in Fig. 11, and so enable the propeller, when used, to work e'tl'ectivcl y in the water, while fixed stud rings 1) are provided at the sides when the points, at which the cables or the like Z:, Z are connected, are fixed, the entire arrangement being such that when the device la is suspended against the ships hull from the derrick by the cables t, Z, the inclination of the cables, from the pulleys Z2, Z downward, is away from the ship, as is also the case when the single arm derrick Fig. 2 is used, so that, the tension causes the cleaning device Zr to be forced toward the hull of the ship so that the actual cleaning member or members is or are kept pressed against the ships hull, this arrangement assisting a propeller C to this end when the device Zr works under water. if desired, water-tight ports (not shown) may be provided for inspection or repairing purposes in the :asing A. .Ihrough an opening provided in the rear part of the said casing, where a packing gland D may be set, a shaft E passes on which the screw propeller C is n'lounted and which is preferably the arimiture shaft of the motor and is provided with a bearing and thrust block (not shown), while an opening is also placed preferably at the top of the motor casing and providedwith a packing gland F for the inlet of the conveyer or conveyers a (Figs. 2, 3 and 9) by which the current passes from a generator on a punt, lighter or boat or other supply source elsewhere. Packing glands G, G are provided in the front part of the motor casing through which a driving shaft H passes which is prefe ably mounted in ball races (not shown) and driven bv the motor by worm gear or the like at I Fig. 1 L (some parts being omitted) and coupled to continuation shafts J at K, Figs. 12 and 13. Preferably sprocket wheels L on the shafts J and chains M transmit the motion to sprocket wheels N on the spindle O of a revolving brush or brushes 9 or the like, although any other form of drive may be employed.

w and the locking bolt w secured to 2. lug

20 on the framework S. By this means the pressure of the brush, brushes or the like 9 finay be partly varied and the wear of the brushes allowed for, although othersuitable means maybe provided for the purpose.

llVhen the cleaning device it is used for cleaning the bottoms of ships while in the water, a detachable air chamber or, as shown in Figs. 11 and 15, air chambers X are preferably fitted to it in order to increase the buoyancy, being secured in place, forinstance, by means of belts or other suitable means.

ln'opei'ating the apparatus constituted according to the present invention, the punt, lighter, or boat or other support on which the means for carrying the cleaning device is mounted, is preferably moved along relatively to the hull of the ship, vessel or the like being cleaned five feet or so, at the desired intervals, in order to clean the hull in strips of say six feet, according to the length of the actual cleaning member or members q, whereby an overlap is caused. The hull of the ship, ve'ssel or thelike is in this way cleaned over that area which is usually submerged in the water and when the ship is cleaned while in the Water, it may befand preferably is, cleaned for some distance up the side above water level when, for. instance, if the ship or the like is unloaded, unloading or =loadin-g,.13 art of the hull which is under water at other times and which may require cleaning extends above the level of the water. Further, if desirable, the entire hull may ;be cleaned and not only those portions which are usually submerged. Both in the arrangement where the pressure of the member or members (1 isregulated, either entirely or partly, by adjusting the cables or the like, or by adjusting the point or points of suspension, the cleaning device '72. is tilted-more or less on rollers U or the like resting against the hull but, although not usual, the device h might rest against the ships hull only onthe members 9-, or on the adjustable rollers V or the like in such inanner as to allow member or memhere '9 to operate on the ships hull.

The derrick arm, Whether single or otherwise, for instance, double with divergent or parallel branch-"es, need not necessarily rest against the ships hull during the cleaning operations, and when" the said arm is adjustand, if desired, any other moving member or working-parts, Further, in place of the brush or brushes referred to above,'-the cleaning device may be provided with-"a flexible brush or brushes, that is to say, the brushes are'mounted so that they can, when required, assume various angles relatively to the cleaning device h, to enable them, for

instance, to pass readily over curves or pm,

jections. Brushes other than rotary, such as reciprocating, maybe used and other means, for example, electromagnets may be employed to keep, or assist to keep, the brushes or held, with the necessary varied modifica' tio-ns, from any other means mounted separate from the ship 'to be cleaned, such as, a derrick or any other suitable device adapted in any suitable manner, for example, totraverse or to be moved alonga wet, dry or floating dock, a wall, staging or any movable "or immovable support which is exterior. of, and'separate from, the ship or the like and is supported on, ore'rected in,'the water or on term firmer. Thus a harbor, dock or the like could be provided with a permanent arrangement including a cleaning device and a suitable derrick or other suitable doe vice adapted to be moved, iffnecessary, from one locality to another inorder to be used there to clean ships brou ght to the harbor "or the like for this purpose and repairs might then also be effected simultaneously or the ship be loaded, unloaded or fitted out.

Further, instead of moving the derrick along relatively to the ships hull durin'g the too its

cleaning operations, the ship o'r'vessel may be moved relatively to the static-nary derrick or the like at the desired intervals.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;:' Q

p 1. An apparatus for cleaning the hulls of vessels, comprising in combination, a support floated beside the vesselto be cleaned, a

member pivotally carried by said floated support and adapted to be raised and loweret derrick-wise to bear at poii'itsof vary UNT FFICE.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE HULLS F SHIPS OR ANY KIND OF VESSEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1 8, 1913.

Application filed August 5, 1912. Serial No. 713,308.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GEORGE linownn, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at 38 Lambeth avenue, Malvern, near Melbourne, in the State of Victoria, Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improved Apparatus for Cleaning the llulls of Ships or any Kind of Vessel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning the hulls of ships, vessels or the like. of the type in which a self acting cleaning device is suspended from a crane or derrick mounted upon a support exterior of the ship to be cleaned. In such apparatus as hitherto proposed, the self acting cleaner suspended from afloating lighter, normally hangs vertically and is pressed toward the hull by hand or mechanically operated devices in order that the cleaner may perform the work of removing the marine growth upon the hull of the ship. Such growth clings very tenaciously and requires a con siderable amount of force to remove it. It has been found in practice by the devices hitherto proposed, that if the cleaner is forced on to the hull with any considerable force, such force is nullified by the insecure nature of the support carrying the apparatus, in other words, the lighter gives way in the opposite direction.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback, and it primarily consists in so suspending the self acting cleaner that it is normally kept pressed against the hull by the influence of its own weight.

The invention also consists in providing means whereby when a floating lighter is used, it may be held rigidly to the hull being cleaned or may be moved along the hull when and as desired.

The invention further consists in means whereby the pressure of the self acting cleaner againstthe hull may be regulated.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the present invention diagrammatically and byway of example, in which Figure l. is a plan view showing the general arrangement when a punt, lighter, boat or the like is used in cleaning the hull of a ship. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof, drawn to a larger scale, but showing a single arm derrick. Fig. 3 is a similar view, but showing the counter of a ship. Fig. 4 shows a partial plan of one form of gear for operating the cleaning device, when using a single arm derrick. Figs. 5 and (3 show the free end of a single arm derrick in elevation and plan respectively. Fig. 7 is a diagram of two alternative ways of suspending a cleaning device. Fig. 8 is an end view of a general. arrangement suitable when cleaning the bottoms of ships. Figs. 9 and 10 are a side elevation and a partial plan respectively of one form of the double or forked arm derrick and gear of Fig. 1. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are respectively side elevation, plan and front elevation of a cleaning device, some parts being omitted, and Fig. 1 is a section on line l-1 Fig. 11. Fig. 15 is a side elevation of one form of a detachable air chamber. In Fig. 1 a is the ship to be cleaned and Z) is a punt, lighter or boat adapted to be moved along the side of the ship by means of a cable, hawser or the like 0, connected to the latter in any suitable manner and passing one or more times as desired around a hand or power, but preferably an electric, winch or the like (Z and over or around loose pullcys e. A derrick f or the like preferably electrically operated and the arm 7 of which (Figs. 2 and 3) is preferably mounted in any suitable manner so as to be adjustable to any desired angle and, if desired, is also adapted (not shown) to swing or rotate about a vertical axis. is mounted in or on the punt I) or the like and is adapted to raise and lower a cleaning device It, hercinafter referred to, and also to regulate or, in conjunction with rollers V and. when working under water, propeller C hereinafter mentioned, to assist to regulate, the pressure of the actual cleaning member or members thereof against the hull of the ship.

The derrick arm g, when adjustable. is adapted to be raised and lowered preferably by ineans of a separate electric or hand operated Winch 9 indicated diagraniinatically in Figs. 2 and 3, and a steel or any other 

